Swiss cheese and mouse

ABSTRACT

An amusement device for children comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse. The Swiss cheese is in the form of a block such as a wedge with a plurality of surface-to-surface passages through which the mouse is passed for amusement. The mouse may be tethered to the Swiss cheese.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to an amusement device in theform of a wedge of Swiss cheese and a mouse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Amusement devices for children often serve several functionsincluding amusement as well as development of a child's fine motorskills, perception, and game playing strategy. The present invention isdirected to an amusement device in the form of a Swiss cheese and mouseto promote these functions in children aged one year and older.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, a Swiss cheese andmouse comprise a block of Swiss cheese fabricated of suitable materialincluding wood or plastic, shaped in the preferred form of a wedge, andhaving holes simulating those found in Swiss cheese extending betweenthe several surfaces of the wedge. A mouse in the form of an elongatebody preferably fabricated of the same material as the wedge is passedthrough the holes in the wedge for amusement and as an aid in childdevelopment.

[0004] In a preferred form of the invention, the mouse is tethered tothe wedge by means of a string so that as the mouse is passed throughthe holes in the wedge the string wraps around the wedge until the endof the string is reached and the mouse is bound to the Swiss cheesewedge. To free the mouse, a child must pass the mouse through the holesin reverse order, an exercise promoting diligence, perception, logic,and motor skills in the child.

[0005] In a modified form of the invention, the tether is omitted withthe invention comprising the wedge and mouse.

[0006] Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction the accompanying drawing.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide an amusement devicecomprising a simulated Swiss cheese block and mouse.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement devicecomprising a simulated Swiss cheese block and mouse to promote childdevelopment as well as amusement.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement devicecomprising a simulated Swiss cheese block and mouse tethered to eachother as an aid in child development.

[0010] Other and further objects of the invention will become apparentwith an understanding of the following detailed description of theinvention or upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen fordetailed description to enable those having ordinary skill in the art towhich the invention appertains to readily understand how to practice theinvention and is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Swiss cheese and tethered mousein a preferred form of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the far side of the wedge of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the near side of the wedge of FIG.1.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wedge of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the wedge of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the wedge of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a Swiss cheese and mouse 10 according to theinvention comprises a block 12 made to simulate Swiss cheese in thepreferred form of a wedge having an exterior surface 12 a defined bynear 12 b and far 12 c sides, top 12 d and bottom 12 e, and a rear side12 f. In preferred form, the near and far sides are rectangular, the topand bottom triangular, and the rear either square or rectangular. Aplurality holes 14 simulating the holes found in Swiss cheese extendthrough the exterior surface of the block to define a plurality ofsurface openings 16. Holes 14 a, 14 b extend through the block passingthrough adjacent sides as well as through opposite sides of the block.Holes 14 c can originate in first and second sides of the block and cometogether to share a common opening 16 a in a third side of the block.The holes themselves can be any suitable shape and are preferablecylindrical with openings that are either circular or oval according tothe angle of attack of the hole through the block surface 12 a. Inpreferred form the upright edges 12 g, h, i of the block are rounded.The block is fabricated from any suitable material including wood orplastic, may be colored as desired, and have surface ornamentation ordesigns to enhance its appearance.

[0019] The Swiss cheese and mouse further comprises a mouse 18 in theform of an elongate rod shaped to conform the shape of the wedgepassages. The head end 18 a of the rod is tapered and marked with eyes18 b, ears 18 c and whiskers 18 e giving the appearance of a mouse. Thelength of the mouse is chosen to be slightly longer than the longesthole through the Swiss cheese so as to be always accessible to a child'sgrasp.

[0020] In a preferred form of the invention, the mouse is tethered by alength of string 20 to the tip of the wedge.

[0021] In a modified form, the string tether is omitted.

[0022] In use, the tethered mouse is passed through the Swiss cheeseholes in whatever order occurs to or pleases a child until the childdecides to reverse order or to entirely bind the mouse to the Swisscheese.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the Swiss cheese and mouse accordingto the invention provides a useful device for amusement and developmentof a child's skills.

[0024] Various changes may be made to the principles of the invention.The foregoing embodiments are set forth in an illustrative and not in alimiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claimsappended hereto.

I claim:
 1. An amusement device comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse,the Swiss cheese being in the form of a block defined by exteriorsurfaces, a plurality of holes passing through the block from onesurface to another surface of the block to define a plurality of surfaceopenings, and a mouse being an elongate body for passing through theSwiss cheese holes from one surface of the block to another for amusinga child.
 2. An amusement device comprising a Swiss cheese and a mouse,the Swiss cheese block defined by exterior surfaces to form a wedge, aplurality of holes passing through the block from one surface to anothersurface of the wedge to define a plurality of surface openings, and amouse being an elongate body with head end decorated to give theappearance of a mouse for passing through the Swiss cheese holes fromone surface of the block to another for amusing a child and to aid childdevelopment.
 3. An amusement device comprising a Swiss cheese and amouse, the Swiss cheese block defined by exterior surfaces to form awedge having rectangular near and far sides, triangular top and bottom,a rectangular read side, a plurality of holes passing through the blockfrom one surface to another surface of the wedge to define a pluralityof surface openings, and a mouse being an elongate body with head enddecorated to give the appearance of a mouse for passing through theSwiss cheese holes from one surface of the block to another for amusinga child and to aid child development.
 4. An amusement device as definedin claim 1 in which the mouse is tethered to the Swiss cheese.
 5. Anamusement device as defined in claim 2 in which the mouse is tethered tothe Swiss cheese.
 6. An amusement device as defined in claim 3 in whichthe mouse is tethered to the Swiss cheese.
 7. An amusement device asdefined in claim 1 in which the mouse conforms to the interior shape ofthe holes.